We get readymade powders available in the market but for the ones like me who want to get it done by hand or have ample of time to do it.. the procedure is
**Take Ragi/Millets.
**Soak them in water in the morning.
**By night drain all the water and put them in a cotton cloth and tie a knot.
**Early next morning when they have sprouted, dry them.. not under direct sun though.
Do not let it excess sprout, around 9 a.m. in the night to next morning around 8 should be fine.
**Since it is not sun dried, the drying procedure takes around 3 to 4 days.
**When the sprouted ragi is totally dry without any moisture.
**Make it into a powder and sieve it and store it in an airtight container.
**Do not use wet spoons to remove the contents.
Ting Tong.. Home-made Raagi powder ready
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Tonsils in Kids -- Dr. Sanjay
WHAT ARE TONISILS?
• Tonsils are part of immune system of body. There are three sets of tonsils in the back of mouth; adenoids are also one of them.
• The main functions of these tonsils are like an army soldier, whenever anything unhygienic comes into the mouth, they fight with that first. While doing this, i.e. trying to prevent infection, they them self get injured i.e. they get infected and enlarged. So, by suffering them self, they prevent the infection to spread to rest of body.
• These tonsils grow until puberty (10-12 years), than begins to shrink in the following years. These tonsils are very important as a protective mechanism for children, because they are more likely to eat things which are unhygienic. After 12 years, they regress because our other immune mechanisms become more active to prevent infections.
WHEN TONSILLECTOMY IS JUSTIFIED?
You will be surprised to know, if they are so protective, why we need to remove them. Yes, sometimes we need to remove them, mainly because of mechanical problems which occur because of their enlargement. So there are 2 clear cut indications for its removal before 12 years:
I) When tonsils are enlarged so much that they obstruct breathing and swallowing both.
II) When throat infections are sooo much that these enlarged tonsils them self are posing risk for more infections (in such cases removal of these tonsils may be help full).
So, tonsillectomy will be advisable in a child who:
-- have developed at least 7 “significant” episodes of throat infection in 1 year.
-- Or atleast 5 “significant” infections every year from last 2 years.
-- Or atleast 3 “significant” infections every year from last 3 years.
Significant infection means : associated with high grade fever every time, with enlarged lymph nodes in throat, tonsils coved with pus like coating called exudates every time.
Every child who meets these criteria also need not go for surgery. Many children will improve spontaneously without surgery sooner or later. So, the decision about surgery should be individualized.
Recent evidence also suggests, that those children who are not frequently having significant tonsillitis if undergoes surgery, it won’t help in reducing chances of throat infection. So, surgery should be done only in those cases, where things are really worse.
So, prevention of throat infection in this age is more important.
MYTHS AND PREVENTION OF TONSILLITIS ?
3 POINTS TO REMEMBER IN PREVENTING TONSILLITIS:
• AVOID CROWDED PLACES.
(Infection may be contacted from persons, who are infected. If you find someone infected, keep distance from him/her and take precautions to avoid infection. Pollution and crowded places again increases risk of infection)
• GOOD BALANCED DIET.
(Includes two major diets, 2 times milk, one fruit a day)
• DURING INFECTIONS AVOID COLD DRINKS, ICECREAMS, COLD WATER
(Cos these organism multiply very fast when cold temp, so it will worsen the situation)
MYTHS NEED CLARIFICAITON:
1. No scientific evidence to suggest that curd or fruits like mausambi increase risk of tonsillitis (Infect fruits contain good amount of Vit C, which is needed for good immunity)
2. Fruits as such are better than juices, cos they contain lot of fibres, which are good.
3. Chocolates, nuts, cream biscuits can’t cause infection, why we avoid them, cos, when children eat them often they get contaminated, and by contamination risk of infection increases.
Hope many things are clarified.
• Tonsils are part of immune system of body. There are three sets of tonsils in the back of mouth; adenoids are also one of them.
• The main functions of these tonsils are like an army soldier, whenever anything unhygienic comes into the mouth, they fight with that first. While doing this, i.e. trying to prevent infection, they them self get injured i.e. they get infected and enlarged. So, by suffering them self, they prevent the infection to spread to rest of body.
• These tonsils grow until puberty (10-12 years), than begins to shrink in the following years. These tonsils are very important as a protective mechanism for children, because they are more likely to eat things which are unhygienic. After 12 years, they regress because our other immune mechanisms become more active to prevent infections.
WHEN TONSILLECTOMY IS JUSTIFIED?
You will be surprised to know, if they are so protective, why we need to remove them. Yes, sometimes we need to remove them, mainly because of mechanical problems which occur because of their enlargement. So there are 2 clear cut indications for its removal before 12 years:
I) When tonsils are enlarged so much that they obstruct breathing and swallowing both.
II) When throat infections are sooo much that these enlarged tonsils them self are posing risk for more infections (in such cases removal of these tonsils may be help full).
So, tonsillectomy will be advisable in a child who:
-- have developed at least 7 “significant” episodes of throat infection in 1 year.
-- Or atleast 5 “significant” infections every year from last 2 years.
-- Or atleast 3 “significant” infections every year from last 3 years.
Significant infection means : associated with high grade fever every time, with enlarged lymph nodes in throat, tonsils coved with pus like coating called exudates every time.
Every child who meets these criteria also need not go for surgery. Many children will improve spontaneously without surgery sooner or later. So, the decision about surgery should be individualized.
Recent evidence also suggests, that those children who are not frequently having significant tonsillitis if undergoes surgery, it won’t help in reducing chances of throat infection. So, surgery should be done only in those cases, where things are really worse.
So, prevention of throat infection in this age is more important.
MYTHS AND PREVENTION OF TONSILLITIS ?
3 POINTS TO REMEMBER IN PREVENTING TONSILLITIS:
• AVOID CROWDED PLACES.
(Infection may be contacted from persons, who are infected. If you find someone infected, keep distance from him/her and take precautions to avoid infection. Pollution and crowded places again increases risk of infection)
• GOOD BALANCED DIET.
(Includes two major diets, 2 times milk, one fruit a day)
• DURING INFECTIONS AVOID COLD DRINKS, ICECREAMS, COLD WATER
(Cos these organism multiply very fast when cold temp, so it will worsen the situation)
MYTHS NEED CLARIFICAITON:
1. No scientific evidence to suggest that curd or fruits like mausambi increase risk of tonsillitis (Infect fruits contain good amount of Vit C, which is needed for good immunity)
2. Fruits as such are better than juices, cos they contain lot of fibres, which are good.
3. Chocolates, nuts, cream biscuits can’t cause infection, why we avoid them, cos, when children eat them often they get contaminated, and by contamination risk of infection increases.
Hope many things are clarified.
Preventing Cough and Cold it Toddlers and pre-school kids
Let me try to share my thoughts/ observations/ experience with you which I have faced with my son (who is now 3 1/2 years old) since last 1 1/ 2 years that he started going to Pre-school.
First thing - you may want to check the hygiene factors at the school.
How far they are following it in terms of checking the kids - and if any infections they have before entering to the school / class.
If there is not much cold/ cough/ running nose for the other kids, their parents might not be having any other option expect sending them to the school; in these cases, the school must allow them and to play separately. This rarely happens anywhere.
And, the other points like, how the teachers/ care takers are taking care of the (Sick) kids when they have cold or cough. They are suppose to either wear gloves when they touch them / or wash their hands immediately. So, the spread of the cold and cough would be less.
At the same time, even the kids can be given mask to wear as to prevent the spread of the cold among other kids. (here, if the kids are very small, it's going to be tough time for the kids /for the care takers too to keep the mask on always :-P)
In addition, you may want to check with the school as what kind of drinking water is given and about the food given to your kid. (If he is taking school food). Some foods/ or cold / chilled drinks might cause cold or cough to the kids if taken on regular basis.
Please don't forget to even check the washrooms and the cleanliness maintained there. It does matter a lot.
Is the school/ class is closed and with full Aircon. If so, is it split A/c or central A/c. How much is the room temperature is maintained. Please check.
Yes - I was told by my Paed that pre-school and child care going kids do get these kind of episodes (cold / cough/ running nose / fever / soar throat/phlegm) 12-15 times in a year. Most of the times, it would be because of some viral infection; which would go between 5-7 days.
Assuming that your kid's weight and height and other growth factors are normal as per the age, then try to re-visit his diet which you give him at home.
You can include the following.
Citrus fruits
Vitamin C Syrup
Seeds (Pumpkin etc., )
Egg
Avoid giving him chilled drinks / foods WHEN he is having any signs of cold/ soar throat or cough.
If you cannot wait for some more time, probably, you may want to check with your Pead if he suggest for any allergic tests to be done for your kid. I am not sure, it would be done for such a small kid.
Probably, you can keep a note of the food given at home and collect the menu from the school. And check, when these symptoms are persisting .. I mean after which food, he is getting these attacks.
Some Alternative medicines can be used.
Chavanprash
Cardlivor capsules
Septlin Tonic (Himalaya Product)
It would be good to check with your Pead before using these medicines.
You may want to reduce the rice content and include whole grains in his food. Like Cereal/ lentils / vegetables/ whole fruits/ whole grain bread / dry fruits / Dhalia (Broken wheat)/ Oats / Raagi etc.,
I was told by my Ayurved Doctor to give less quantity of rice to my son as it may be one of root cause for persistent cough and cold and soar throat.
Nothing should be given in excess. Plan his diet ahead and can follow the same in the week ahead.
It would be trail and error always with the kids. We would really not knowing unless it is given to the kid and proved safe and they like it :-P
I am sure you must have already trained your kid about Hand wash. This is another important factor to prevent these kind of episodes.
As suggested by our co-mums, please cover him properly while he is going to school and while at home when he is having cough and cold and really the weather is cold out side.
Massage him with eucalyptus oil.
Steam would be good to loosen the phlegm if he has any - (it would be good to apply Ghee/ Vaseline on his nostrils before giving the steam) but, please take care about the hot vapor. Please keep it far and face it before the kid)
You can use, Tulasi (holi basil) ginger, honey mix (little) to the kid 2-3 time as per the severity.
All these are to reduce the symptoms of the cold/cough etc.,
Pinch of turmeric with little ghee and sugar in the warm milk before the bed is good for cough and cold. If the cough is wet cough, make sure to dilute the milk.
Hope it would be of some help to you..
Yes - it is a passing phase. It is just 2 months that he started going to the school. He needs ( in the sense any kid) time to get adjust with the school and environment.
Over period of time, after several episodes, he would build self immunity to withstand
these symptoms.
Courtesy: Ratna @ Indian Parenting.
First thing - you may want to check the hygiene factors at the school.
How far they are following it in terms of checking the kids - and if any infections they have before entering to the school / class.
If there is not much cold/ cough/ running nose for the other kids, their parents might not be having any other option expect sending them to the school; in these cases, the school must allow them and to play separately. This rarely happens anywhere.
And, the other points like, how the teachers/ care takers are taking care of the (Sick) kids when they have cold or cough. They are suppose to either wear gloves when they touch them / or wash their hands immediately. So, the spread of the cold and cough would be less.
At the same time, even the kids can be given mask to wear as to prevent the spread of the cold among other kids. (here, if the kids are very small, it's going to be tough time for the kids /for the care takers too to keep the mask on always :-P)
In addition, you may want to check with the school as what kind of drinking water is given and about the food given to your kid. (If he is taking school food). Some foods/ or cold / chilled drinks might cause cold or cough to the kids if taken on regular basis.
Please don't forget to even check the washrooms and the cleanliness maintained there. It does matter a lot.
Is the school/ class is closed and with full Aircon. If so, is it split A/c or central A/c. How much is the room temperature is maintained. Please check.
Yes - I was told by my Paed that pre-school and child care going kids do get these kind of episodes (cold / cough/ running nose / fever / soar throat/phlegm) 12-15 times in a year. Most of the times, it would be because of some viral infection; which would go between 5-7 days.
Assuming that your kid's weight and height and other growth factors are normal as per the age, then try to re-visit his diet which you give him at home.
You can include the following.
Citrus fruits
Vitamin C Syrup
Seeds (Pumpkin etc., )
Egg
Avoid giving him chilled drinks / foods WHEN he is having any signs of cold/ soar throat or cough.
If you cannot wait for some more time, probably, you may want to check with your Pead if he suggest for any allergic tests to be done for your kid. I am not sure, it would be done for such a small kid.
Probably, you can keep a note of the food given at home and collect the menu from the school. And check, when these symptoms are persisting .. I mean after which food, he is getting these attacks.
Some Alternative medicines can be used.
Chavanprash
Cardlivor capsules
Septlin Tonic (Himalaya Product)
It would be good to check with your Pead before using these medicines.
You may want to reduce the rice content and include whole grains in his food. Like Cereal/ lentils / vegetables/ whole fruits/ whole grain bread / dry fruits / Dhalia (Broken wheat)/ Oats / Raagi etc.,
I was told by my Ayurved Doctor to give less quantity of rice to my son as it may be one of root cause for persistent cough and cold and soar throat.
Nothing should be given in excess. Plan his diet ahead and can follow the same in the week ahead.
It would be trail and error always with the kids. We would really not knowing unless it is given to the kid and proved safe and they like it :-P
I am sure you must have already trained your kid about Hand wash. This is another important factor to prevent these kind of episodes.
As suggested by our co-mums, please cover him properly while he is going to school and while at home when he is having cough and cold and really the weather is cold out side.
Massage him with eucalyptus oil.
Steam would be good to loosen the phlegm if he has any - (it would be good to apply Ghee/ Vaseline on his nostrils before giving the steam) but, please take care about the hot vapor. Please keep it far and face it before the kid)
You can use, Tulasi (holi basil) ginger, honey mix (little) to the kid 2-3 time as per the severity.
All these are to reduce the symptoms of the cold/cough etc.,
Pinch of turmeric with little ghee and sugar in the warm milk before the bed is good for cough and cold. If the cough is wet cough, make sure to dilute the milk.
Hope it would be of some help to you..
Yes - it is a passing phase. It is just 2 months that he started going to the school. He needs ( in the sense any kid) time to get adjust with the school and environment.
Over period of time, after several episodes, he would build self immunity to withstand
these symptoms.
Courtesy: Ratna @ Indian Parenting.
Monday, March 15, 2010
One Side Preference In Breast Feeding
Infants, especially newborns, may have periods of preferring one breast to the other. You may notice your baby fussing, pulling away, or simply refusing to suck from one breast.
A newborn may struggle to latch on to one breast over the other because of breast engorgement, a difference in the nipple, or poor latch-on technique. An older baby may reject one breast because it has a low milk supply or flow compared to the other breast. You can end up with a low milk supply in one breast if your baby only nurses from one side each feeding and you sometimes forget to switch to the other breast for the next feeding or you frequently begin nursing on the same breast. This is why it's important to remember to alternate breasts at each feeding.
What you can do:
Try to gently and persistently encourage him to nurse at the less-preferred breast by always offering the shunned breast first, when he's hungriest.
Always feed from one side at a time for 20-30 minutes and next time from other breast (the milk which comes late after 10-15 minutes ie. Hind milk is full of fat, for that you need to feed longer).
May be you can take help of some lactation consultant or even your pediatrician.
These rashes doesn’t seem to have any association with milk.
A newborn may struggle to latch on to one breast over the other because of breast engorgement, a difference in the nipple, or poor latch-on technique. An older baby may reject one breast because it has a low milk supply or flow compared to the other breast. You can end up with a low milk supply in one breast if your baby only nurses from one side each feeding and you sometimes forget to switch to the other breast for the next feeding or you frequently begin nursing on the same breast. This is why it's important to remember to alternate breasts at each feeding.
What you can do:
Try to gently and persistently encourage him to nurse at the less-preferred breast by always offering the shunned breast first, when he's hungriest.
Always feed from one side at a time for 20-30 minutes and next time from other breast (the milk which comes late after 10-15 minutes ie. Hind milk is full of fat, for that you need to feed longer).
May be you can take help of some lactation consultant or even your pediatrician.
These rashes doesn’t seem to have any association with milk.
Fear in Children
All children have fears at some point in their life and it is usually considered to be a normal part of development. These fears are only abnormal if they are persistent or keep the child overly preoccupied with the subject that is feared, so that it interferes with normal activities, if the child cannot be reassured or distracted away from the fear (becoming a phobia), or if it is an irrational fear.
Toddlers normally have simple fears of separation, noises, falling, animals and insects, using the potty, bathing and bedtime. In children of all ages, fears may also increase during times of stress or after some triggering event.
Some children are more fearful of things, even common things, than others and this is usually a function of his type of temperament. Also, children who have parents that are very anxious or fearful, or who tend to overreact to things, often have children who have the same reactions in similar situations.
Some tips on dealing with your child's fears include:
• Respect your child's feelings and fears. It is not helpful to try and ignore the things that he is afraid of.
• Ask him why he is afraid and then talk about it. This can be especially helpful if there was a triggering event.
• Don't be overprotective and let him avoid all of the things that he is afraid of, but you also don't want to try and force your child into doing something he is afraid to do.
• Don't overreact, so that your extra attention reinforces your child's reactions.
• Give your child support as he learns to master his fears. Try to explain reality with your examples.
• Remind him of other things or times in the past that he was afraid of, and for which he is no longer has fears.
• Again, reassure and comfort your child as you help him to face his fears.
In your case, to be that looks normal to me. Just follow these instructions, probably she will be better. Anytime if you feel, things are getting over, no harm in involving a good child psychologist. That will surely help.
Dr. Sanjay Verma @ Indian Parenting
Toddlers normally have simple fears of separation, noises, falling, animals and insects, using the potty, bathing and bedtime. In children of all ages, fears may also increase during times of stress or after some triggering event.
Some children are more fearful of things, even common things, than others and this is usually a function of his type of temperament. Also, children who have parents that are very anxious or fearful, or who tend to overreact to things, often have children who have the same reactions in similar situations.
Some tips on dealing with your child's fears include:
• Respect your child's feelings and fears. It is not helpful to try and ignore the things that he is afraid of.
• Ask him why he is afraid and then talk about it. This can be especially helpful if there was a triggering event.
• Don't be overprotective and let him avoid all of the things that he is afraid of, but you also don't want to try and force your child into doing something he is afraid to do.
• Don't overreact, so that your extra attention reinforces your child's reactions.
• Give your child support as he learns to master his fears. Try to explain reality with your examples.
• Remind him of other things or times in the past that he was afraid of, and for which he is no longer has fears.
• Again, reassure and comfort your child as you help him to face his fears.
In your case, to be that looks normal to me. Just follow these instructions, probably she will be better. Anytime if you feel, things are getting over, no harm in involving a good child psychologist. That will surely help.
Dr. Sanjay Verma @ Indian Parenting
Curious Kids.. Sexual Awareness..
It’s important for us parents to know first what is normal, and then only we can understand what is abnormal for a particular child. You see, when child grows, we asses two things one is growth and second is development. Growth is measured by weight, height etc, and development is assessed in 4 quadrants ie. motor, fine motor, language and social.
What you are talking now is related to social part of it. Normally a child of 3 years knows about his/her gender, whether male or female, and during that only he develops this curiosity to know his/her body parts, for which he/she was unaware till now.
Commonly the common questions raised by these small children are like:
i. Curious about where babies come from?
ii. May explore other children’s and adult’s bodies out of curiosity.
iii. By age four, children may show significant attachment to the opposite-sex parents.
iv. Children begin to have a sense of modesty and of the differences between private and public behaviours.
v. For some children, genital touching increases, especially when they are tired or upset.
So, one thing is sure that these are normal behaviour for his age. And these erections are off course normal for his age. Ok, now how to handle this as a mother. You have to prepare your own answers to his questions, but the bottom line is don’t give much attention to that, so he doesn’t feel that something interesting is there in this, so all are concerned(which will further increase his curiosity). Just behave normally with your casual answers, and I am sure gradually he will understand this, that this is just like any other body part of mine. Sexual development in a child depends on two things : one is the biological factors and second is the social and cultural factors, second factor is more important for children more than 6 years, then of course we need to see, what all our children are watching on tv, net and in surroundings, cos everything will affect their future behavior.
Courtesy: Dr. Sanjay Verma @ Indian Parenting.
What you are talking now is related to social part of it. Normally a child of 3 years knows about his/her gender, whether male or female, and during that only he develops this curiosity to know his/her body parts, for which he/she was unaware till now.
Commonly the common questions raised by these small children are like:
i. Curious about where babies come from?
ii. May explore other children’s and adult’s bodies out of curiosity.
iii. By age four, children may show significant attachment to the opposite-sex parents.
iv. Children begin to have a sense of modesty and of the differences between private and public behaviours.
v. For some children, genital touching increases, especially when they are tired or upset.
So, one thing is sure that these are normal behaviour for his age. And these erections are off course normal for his age. Ok, now how to handle this as a mother. You have to prepare your own answers to his questions, but the bottom line is don’t give much attention to that, so he doesn’t feel that something interesting is there in this, so all are concerned(which will further increase his curiosity). Just behave normally with your casual answers, and I am sure gradually he will understand this, that this is just like any other body part of mine. Sexual development in a child depends on two things : one is the biological factors and second is the social and cultural factors, second factor is more important for children more than 6 years, then of course we need to see, what all our children are watching on tv, net and in surroundings, cos everything will affect their future behavior.
Courtesy: Dr. Sanjay Verma @ Indian Parenting.
Teething..
Children often feel tingling sensations in teeth during teething, so they feel like putting everything in mouth. That causes irritability and restlessness sometimes. Because of that they are likely to put unhygienic things in mouth, which can lead to GI infections and loosemotions. So, what you can do, WASH HER HANDS ATLEAST 4-5 TIMES PER DAYS, cos you cant stop her from putting things in mouth, its difficult.
Dr. Sanjay Verma @ Indian Parenting.
Dr. Sanjay Verma @ Indian Parenting.
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